| July 1, 2021 Tonight will be mostly clear with lows near 60. Friday will be sunny with highs in the mid-80s to lower 90s. Saturday, it gets hot and sunny again, with highs in the upper 80s and mid-90s. Find the latest on Updraft. Gov. Tim Walz formally signed off on a new state budget and the end of a nearly continuous year of legislating. The spending includes increased funding for public schools, aid to small businesses and an expansion of childcare support. Walz said in a news conference that he is also pleased essential frontline workers, including health care workers and first responders, will also get some financial support. A panel will recommend how to use the $250 million designated for those workers. Then the Legislature will act later this year on the plan.
Minnesota reported five new COVID-19 deaths today, as cases continue to trend down. The state is now averaging just 90 new cases a day, over the last week. It’s about a third of the daily average a month ago, and compares to averages of 7,000 a day and more in November. New tests are also averaging just 0.85 percent positive, yet another new record and the fourth time in a week that average has set a new low. Subscribe to our Minnesota Today podcast to get up-to-date Minnesota news twice daily. — Tim Nelson | MPR News | 